Carol Holje, 88, Minot died on Thursday, March 21, 2019 in a Minot nursing home with her family at her side.

Carol Ruth Gray was born on January 4, 1931 in Bottineau, ND to Alfred and Anna (Jelleberg) Gray. She was raised on the family farm near Bottineau and attended Jelleberg Rural School and graduated from Bottineau High School as the Salutatorian of the Class of 1948. She continued her education by graduating from the North Dakota School of Forestry - Bottineau in 1950 with an Associate of Arts Degree and then from North Dakota State University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics Education.

Carol married Reverend Marvin Holje on July 30, 1954 at Peace Lutheran Church in Fargo. They made their home in various communities of North Dakota including Woodworth, Napoleon, Harvey, and Underwood where Marvin served those communities as a Lutheran Pastor. Carol was employed as a Home Economics Teacher at high schools in Parshall, Mohall, ND and Mound MN. They retired in 1994 and made Minot their home. Marvin died on August 12, 2015.

Carol was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot and its WELCA organization as well as a bible study, quilting group and circle. She was a former member of the churches her husband served as minister.

Carol especially enjoyed sewing, gardening, traveling and she was an excellent hostess especially during the holidays.

Carol is survived by her children, Mary (Bob) Goggins, Lincoln, NE, Ruth (Gary) Manuele, Harker Heights, TX and Sarah (Pastor Tim) Johnson, Burnet, TX; grandchildren, Aaron Goggins, Nathan Johnson and Isaak Johnson; step grandchildren, Michael Creech, Shanna (Aaron) Frisch, Mandy (Charles) Hass, Jessica Manuele, Lauren (George) Chinea; 9 great-grandchildren; sister, Marilyn Champoux, Kalispell, MT; brothers-in-law, David (Jane) Holje, Maddock, ND and Curtis Hvinden, Maddock, ND and several nieces and nephews.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Rev. Marvin Holje, sister-in-law, Lorraine Hvinden and brother-in-law, Richard Champoux.

The family appreciates the kindness and care the Trinity Homes' staff provided Carol.

Celebration of the Life of Carol Holje: Monday, March 25, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment: North Viking Cemetery, Maddock, ND in the Spring.
Visitation: Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Bethany Lutheran Church Foundation or to Metigoshe Ministries.

Carol Holje Flowers